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Soaking oil stones?

B0bE's picture

Soaking oil stones? (post #169277)

B0bE on Sat, 10/29/2011 - 17:58
in

I just picked up a cheap chinese aluminum oxide combo stone in order to clean up and flatten some old chisels and plane irons I’ve been collecting for a while. This thing sucks up the honing oil just as quick as I can put it on there.
Is there a particular method to soaking oil stones?
Is it a one time thing or do I need to repeat it whenever I use the stone?

-A +A
roc's picture

What grit / coarseness ? (post #169277, reply #1 of 3)

by roc in reply to B0bE [original] on Sat, 10/29/2011 - 18:26

Could be the stone combo you have would be happier saturated with water.

The oil or water is used every time you sharpen to help float the metal cut off the blades  out of the pores of the stone face and wash it away.

roc

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

Metod's picture

Saturation (post #169277, reply #2 of 3)

by Metod in reply to B0bE [original] on Sun, 10/30/2011 - 08:26

Once the stone gets saturated  with oil, it will need only a few drops per sharpening. It will use several fl. ounces, before it gets to that stage.

I 'converted' my waterstones and now use oil with them. Happy with the results - but they were very 'thirsty' initially. After honing, a squirt (from a spray bottle) of mineral spirits floats away the black stuff (abraded metal) very neatly.

Best wishes,

Metod

Tony Z's picture

oil stone (post #169277, reply #3 of 3)

by Tony Z in reply to B0bE [original] on Mon, 11/07/2011 - 13:36

I believe Norton oil impregnates their artificial stones:  stones are place in a pressure vessel, with air pumped out via vacuum.  Then the vessel is flooded with oil, to fill the voids in the stones.

You can accomplish something similar by heating oil to about 15 degrees F below the flash point (check what the flash point of the oil is first!!!!), then place the stone in the oil, and let soak with the heat removed and the oil cooling to room temp.